Ryan no longer in charge of Cowboys defense

Updated 1:53 am, Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Rob Ryan, fired Tuesday by the Cowboys, couldn’t overcome injuries to several of his defensive players.

Rob Ryan, fired Tuesday by the Cowboys, couldn’t overcome injuries to several of his defensive players.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News

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Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan looks on from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan looks on from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sharon

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears (96) celebrate as they make their way off the field after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime, 27-24, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, December 16, 2012. (Vernon Bryant/Dallas Morning News/MCT)

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears (96) celebrate as they make their way off the field after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime, 27-24, at

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and others point to the big screen against the St. Louis Rams during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and others point to the big screen against the St. Louis Rams during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012 in Arlington, Texas.

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan gestures during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Aug. 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan gestures during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Aug. 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Ignoring all the injuries that plagued their defense throughout the season, the Cowboys on Tuesday fired the outspoken coordinator, marking the second change to coach Jason Garrett's staff in as many days.

The shakeup fulfilled owner Jerry Jones' promise last week to make Valley Ranch “very uncomfortable” in the wake of a second straight 8-8, out-of-the-playoffs finish. On Monday, Dallas fired running backs coach Skip Peete, who, like Ryan, had to deal with injuries to key players.

“They want uncomfortable,” the Dallas Morning News quoted Ryan as saying in a phone conversation from the Turks and Caicos Islands, where he was vacationing. “I'm comfortably numb.”

“I want to express my appreciation to Rob for all of his efforts and contributions to the Cowboys over the past two years,” Garrett said in a prepared statement released by the team.

“At this time, the decision has been made to move forward in a different direction philosophically on defense. I have an immense amount of respect for Rob as a person and as a football coach, and I wish him and his family the very best.”

With his big belly, long hair and brash attitude, Ryan was an over-the-top figure on the Cowboys' sideline the past two seasons. His weekly Friday news conferences were filled with colorful sound bytes and jabs at opponents that sometimes came back to haunt him when they found holes in his defense.

The Cowboys finished 19th in total defense this season after four starters landed on injured reserve, including highly productive inside linebackers Sean Lee and Bruce Carter.

A fifth regular, Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff, was limited to six games by ankle and groin injuries. His backup, Josh Brent, missed the final four games after an arrest for intoxication manslaughter in a car accident that resulted in the death of practice-squad player Jerry Brown.

Dallas finished 22nd in the league in rush defense after allowing the Redskins' Alfred Morris to rush for 200 yards in the finale, which Washington won 28-18. Despite the arrival of ballyhooed cornerbacks Carr and Morris Claiborne, the Cowboys finished 19th in pass defense and last in interceptions with seven.

Another black mark against Ryan: His secondary didn't record its first interception until Week 7. Dallas' franchise-low 16 takeaways tied for 29th in the 32-team league.

But many observers praised Ryan for putting together a patchwork defense that helped the Cowboys win their first three games in December. The defense, however, struggled in a pair of season-ending losses, a collapse Ryan wouldn't survive.

Bryant has finger surgery:﻿ Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant underwent surgery on his broken left index finger after postponing the procedure for the final three games.

The team reported Tuesday's successful surgery on its website.

Bryant broke the finger in the fourth quarter at Cincinnati on Dec. 9 and caught a touchdown pass after the injury.

The third-year pro finished with career highs of 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns.